Biologists from RMIT University and Monash University have recently published a study in the Journal of Ecology that investigates the evolution of flower colors. For the first time, research has proven that the flower color in some parts of the world have evolved to attract bees as pollinators. The research was conducted in subtropical environments such as the steep mountainous terrain of Nepal. Supplementary facts on the effects of climate change on plant pollinations were brought to light through their research.
Previous studies in temperate environments have shown that color evolved in flowers to attract bees as pollinators, said Associate Professor Adrian Dyer of RMIT and Monash. However, steep mountainous and subtropical environments have never been researched in this regard. "Mountainous environments provide an ideal natural experiment to understand the potential effects of changing climatic conditions on plant-pollinator interactions, since many pollinators show preferences for localized conditions, and major pollinators like honeybees do not tend to forage at high altitudes," Dyer said.
A range of altitudes, from 900 metres to over 4000 metres were the source for spectral data collected from more than 100 flowering plants in Nepal. The data was collected by Prakash Bhattrai from the Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu and his colleague, Dr Mani Shrestha from Monash University. The team examined how pollinator vision had shaped flower evolution by using computers to examine the colors as bees would see them. Phylogenetic analyses were then performed by Associate Professor Martin Burd, from the School of Biological Sciences, to determine how altitude zones influenced the results.
Flowers from both subtropical (900-2000m) and alpine (3000-4100m) regions showed that to enhance favoritism by bee pollinators, flowers have changed in color over periods. Dr Shrestha found evidence of evolved color spectral signatures. "The finding was a surprise as flies are thought to be the main pollinator in many mountain regions, but it appears that in the Himalayas several bee species are also active at high altitude, and these insects have been such effective pollinators that they have led to the evolution of distinctive bee-friendly colors," said Dr Shrestha.
This data provides information on how flower colors may continue to evolve in changing environments in relation to the most effective pollinators and their availability. The colors of flowers at high altitude are more diverse and have undergone greater leaps in evolutionary change, when compared to those at lower elevations. "Studying these patterns helps scientists understand how plant communities are assembled, and are potentially able to deal with changing conditions," Burd said.
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